HS-1 Cafe Bar

Someone from this business manages this listing.

883 reviews

#2 of 34 Restaurants in Stornoway££ - £££, Bar, British, Scottish

+44 1851 702109+ Add website

Hours

Sun

12:00 - 16:0017:00 - 21:00

Mon

12:00 - 16:0017:00 - 21:00

Tue

12:00 - 16:0017:00 - 21:00

Wed

12:00 - 16:0017:00 - 21:00

Thu

12:00 - 16:0017:00 - 21:00

Fri

9:00 - 16:0017:00 - 21:00

Sat

12:00 - 16:0017:00 - 21:00

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What is Travellers’ Choice?

Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Ratings and reviews

4.0

883 reviews

#2 of 34 Restaurants in Stornoway

Travellers' Choice 2024

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Food and ambience

Local cuisine, Bar, British, Scottish, Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options

“I went with my family I had the steak pie and potatoes definitely the best I’...”

“My partner had the Steak pie special which was super tasty and tender.”

Special Occasion Dining, Bar Scene

“Friendly staff, good food, good choice of beers an other drinks.”

“Good beer, friendly staff, efficient service.”

Location and contact

81 Cromwell St, Stornoway HS1 2DG Scotland

+44 1851 702109

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Does this restaurant have a full bar?

Yes

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Details

Manage this business?

CUISINES

Bar, British, Scottish

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

Meals

Lunch, Dinner, After-hours

FEATURES

Seating, Street Parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service

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4.0

883 reviews

Excellent

377

Very good

320

Average

118

Poor

Terrible

brian c

Newport15 contributions

Very nice food unfortunately let down by the slow service

May 2022 • solo

Would have liked to have given this a 3.5. Visited here whilst saying nearby for work. They managed to get me a table as a walk in so started well but both myself and others at neighbouring tables had the same issues with slow service. Had to wait for around 20 mins for my drink order to be taken, then a wait for food which I don't mind too much as the food was really nice but once the table was cleared I had about 30 mins wait until I was finally asked if I wanted a dessert. This is a nice cafe / diner on the mid to expensive price bracket serving quality food but it is sorely let down by the service. They have a more upmarket restaurant on the other side of the hotel so one wonders if that takes priority ??

Written 24 May 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Amy G

Rothbury55 contributions

Really good food and friendly staff

Jul 2022 • couples

Really tasty food but a little expensive - We had the Blossom Burger, HS-1 burger, cappuccino, irn bru, chips, biscoff ice cream sundae and mango and coconut soufflé for £60.70. All the staff were really friendly, especially our server Ellie. The food came quick and was nice and warm. The Blossom Burger is vegan and so doesn’t come with chips (which aren’t vegan) but does come with a lovely salad. The burger was full of varied filling and absolutely delicious. The same with the HS-1 burger. The chips are also really tasty. The puddings are slightly more expensive than usual, but served nicely and also extremely tasty. The place was clean, offered a variety of options including vegan, ice cream, alcohol free beers, mock tails, light snacks and main meals. So I imagine there’s something for everyone. It was also open on a Sunday which was great as most of Stornoway is shut on a Sunday.

Written 3 July 2022

David S

28 contributions

Good meal in nice safe surroundings

Sept 2020 • none

Had a meal here whilst staying on the Isle of Lewis as part of a tour of Scotland. Had previously booked for dinner on a Sunday evening as very few restaurants seemed to be open on Sundays and choice limited. Not disappointed at all and had a very nice meal with attentive staff. Tried to book on the Monday for dinner that evening and despite saying how much we had enjoyed our experience the previous evening were told "fully booked and no possibility of a meal that evening." Somewhat surprised to hear from fellow guests at our B&B at Tuesday breakfast that they had walked in on the Monday without a reservation, did not have to wait and not that busy. Without the latter comments would have given an excellent rating.

Written 20 October 2020

aldial44

Carluke126 contributions

Saturday night supreme

Sept 2020 • couples

On arriving at the Royal hotel, we did not h have any dinner reservation made. The last at reception could not have been more helpful and got us booked in for 19:00 ( this is the hotel restaurant). We arrived at 7 and were seated immediately, the girl that served us was from the island and was a delight. She pointed out the specials and chatted for a while. My wife choose the falafel starter and the Thai curry for main, I had the mussels and the the monkfish tail for main. The food was presented fantastically and the taste was truly delicious. I don't usually do hotel food, but I am finding more and more are now realising how important this part of their service is.

Written 20 September 2020

Maddy W

Wellington83 contributions

Stunning food in generous portions

Jul 2021 • couples

We were buzzing to be squeezed in here last minute on a Saturday night and it didn’t disappoint. It is on the pricey side but worth it for amazing fresh seafood in really hefty portions. We also had the beef featherblade which was delicious as were desserts of lemon meringue pie and cheesecake. Service was also quick and very friendly.

Written 2 August 2021

Jacki P

170 contributions

Great seafood but poor desserts

Aug 2021 • family

We were squeezed in at the last minute as we'd messed up our reservation time for The Boatshed next door so we're relieved that they had space for us. The seafood was excellent: plentiful and perfectly cooked. We had the langoustine for starter, which were generous and delicious. The monkfish main was also beautifully cooked, and the cod in a mild curried sauce sounded strange but turned out to be simply divine. Although expensive, the portion sizes were generous. There are 2 reasons we would only give it 4, one being the service. The drinks service was poor, leaving empty bottlesxon the table and omitting to bring a jug of water, despite being asked twice. The dessert wine was only served after the puddings had been eaten! The second reason was the disappointing quality of the desserts. After the beautifully presented and delicious starters and mains, the desserts were sloppy with little thought for presentation or style, with cream from a can. So my recommendation would be to go and enjoy your seafood but avoid the dessert!

Written 16 August 2021

theMercerman

Dunfermline62 contributions

Can't book, terrible service, way over priced

May 2022 • family

I have to be honest about this place, firstly you can't book.... I'm not sure why they have this policy as it doesn't make any sense at all.. the menu is actually OK but some items are just way too expensive for what they are... £31 for a sirloin steak? And a bottle of pino grigio should not be the price they are charging!! Not even a fillet is this cost on most places!! Not sure who is thinking up their prices? I had a beef stack with black pudding which was actually really good... Frozen chips though? Really.. make an effort and peel some potatoes!. the service in this place is really pretty shoddy, lots of confused looking staff and waited way too long for drinks etc.. ordered another beer and it never even arrived.. was glad to leave and won't be rushing back!

Written 22 May 2022

hairdy

Preston4218 contributions

Fancy but too expensive

Jun 2021 • solo

As in the hotel, and only place I could get a table, I was pleasantly surprised. Dont really understand about the prices being the same as the fanxoer hotel restaurant bit heyho!Nicely furnished and modern, was very sunny day so the blinds down made it quite dark, and music just too loud I'm afraid. Inhad Langoustines to start and a delicious fish dish to follow then some raspberry sorbet to cleanse the palate. I understand this is Stornoway but feel just that bit too expensive, I sacrificed two days of meals out for this meal😳!! There is a good co-op 😉

Written 9 October 2021

Paul C

81 contributions

great sunday lunch

Oct 2022 • none

We were looking for lunch, and to get out of the rain and found HS-1, and the lunch was really excellent. Friendly service, a nice and casual environment, and great food. I had a roast beef Sunday lunch, and it was one of the best for a long time, beautifully cooked and generous slices, with excellent sides and gravy. The other dish, stornoway black pudding based was also very tasty, all good value.

Written 3 December 2022

Donald F

Dingwall442 contributions

As HS1 is being refurbished

Mar 2020 • none

As HS1 is being refurbished we ate off their menu but seated in the Hotel’s bar rather than the bistro. Great service, professional, friendly and relaxed - perfect for a Sunday evening meal. Excellent menu - difficult to choose. We paid £75 inc a bottle of wine for my wife and to have two courses each. Highly recommended

Written 6 March 2020

colin

Glasgow2 contributions

Fantastic Family Meal

Jun 2021 • family

Lovely meal with my family on our last night of holiday. Restaurant were very obliging and helped change our booking from Thursday night to Friday night without any hassle. Food and service was fantastic, beef feather blade just melted in your mouth. Decor lovely and will certainly return on our next visit.

Written 20 July 2021

DonkScotland

178 contributions

Disappointing

Jun 2021 • couples

Food was ok for carnivores, but little choice for vegetarians and only two dishes on the menu suitable for anyone gluten free, one a starter and the other shellfish. And not a single GF option on the dessert list, other than the easy fallback of ice cream. Had more choices at one of the island's Community run cafes. Some items overpriced and service was not great.

Written 29 June 2021

Maureen M

Outer Hebrides15 contributions

What’s happened !!

Sept 2022 • family

I love HS1 but where has the love gone from your dishes , Murgh wrap is my favourite but it comes to you looking anaemic and very underwhelming . It used to be served as a wrap folded over with the contents falling out over your plate plenty sauce to dip your chips in … Now it comes as a half filled wrap with no joy when it arrives looks so bland . Come on guys you can do better .

Written 6 September 2022

suz1371

16 contributions

Hungry

Jan 2020 • couples

Place was nice. Food was good apart from the bun on the burger which was meant to be a brioche and wasn't. The place was very quiet only two tables in and we sat with our plates in front of us for a while and didn't get cleared so unfortunately didn't stay for dessert like we were going to. The staff let the place down a bit need to be a bit more attentive to customers. Would possibly go back again and give it another try.

Written 5 January 2020

janet

Surrey19 contributions

Better than reviews, go for it

Jun 2022 • none

Despite some unenthusiastic reviews, and because everywhere else was already reserved we gave this place a try. While the decor is eccentric (acting as hotel restaurant, ice-cream parlor and nightclub!), the service was good and quick, had a variety menu choices and pretty decent food (we had steak and thai curry chicken). Yes, the food on the island is a bit high, but the cost of everything is high these days! If you are a food or experience snob, this might not be for you. If you are tired because the ferry broke down and you had to drive around to Ullapool for a different very and arrived 10 hours late, don't bother wandering the streets hungry - just go here.

Written 4 July 2022

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